Week of May 18, 2026
4 stories
Season recap, May 18 - 24, 2026: the biggest stories of the week, curated from the original reporting. Not a complete daily record.
49ers WebzoneArticle
NFL insider Tom Pelissero said on The Rich Eisen Show that he does not see a world where the 49ers ever fire John Lynch or Kyle Shanahan, responding to fan criticism of the draft. He credited the duo with stabilizing a franchise that had churned through coaches and argued their late-round hits, from George Kittle and Fred Warner to Brock Purdy, matter more than early misses. Pelissero added it is more likely Lynch eventually walks away on his own than gets fired.
NBC Sports Bay AreaArticle
NFL insider Mike Garafolo said May 20 on The Rich Eisen Show that a rumor claiming Brandon Aiyuk's agent, Ryan Williams, had dropped the receiver is false. Williams still represents Aiyuk and was part of the group that warned him about the consequences of his standoff with the 49ers. Garafolo added that Williams remains willing to facilitate a deal if Aiyuk will tell him what he wants to do.
NBC Sports Bay AreaArticle
Purdy spoke May 21 at the Dwight Clark Legacy Series event in San Jose and said the rookie has the raw talent and speed to make an instant impact once he learns the playbook. The quarterback has thrown routes on air with Stribling and came away impressed by how he moves. Purdy also credited Shanahan and receivers coach Leonard Hankerson with developing young pass catchers, saying it is an exciting situation for a quarterback.
NBC Sports Bay AreaArticle
The defensive tackle, acquired from Dallas in March for the 49ers' original third-round pick, said on The Richard Sherman Podcast that he already has the Week 10 trip to AT&T Stadium on Nov. 15 circled. Odighizuwa spent his first five NFL seasons with the Cowboys and called the rivalry the kind of game you throw a knife at on the dartboard. San Francisco has won four straight in the series, including two playoff games.
